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Statistical mechanics

A departure from equilibrium

Non-equilibrium processes, such as heat conduction in a bar of metal, remain poorly characterized at the microscopic level. Detailed analysis of simple models can introduce a new degree of understanding.

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Figure 1: Pattern formation in Rayleigh–Bénard convection.

E. BODENSCHATZ/CORNELL UNIV.

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Correspondence to David Ruelle.

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Ruelle, D. A departure from equilibrium. Nature 414, 263–265 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35104732

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